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MakerBot

HardwareBrooklyn, New YorkFounded 2009· One of 1733 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

MakerBot provides user-friendly 3D printing solutions including desktop 3D printers and an online platform (Thingiverse) for 3D models.

CEO / Founder
Bre Pettis
Team Size
51-200
Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
$13.75M
Latest Round
Acquired
Key Investors
Jake Lodwick, Adrian Bowyer, The Foundry Group

Technology & Products

Key Products

Desktop 3D printers (e.g., Replicator series, METHOD series), MakerBot CloudPrint software, Thingiverse (online platform for 3D models), and educational solutions.

Technological Advantage

Smart Extruder+ technology enhances print reliability and user experience.

Patent position

MakerBot filed 0 patent families in 2022–2024 versus 6 in 2019–2021, a 100% fall, steeper than the 27% fall in tracked AM filings in the same patent offices. AMPulse analysis

Filing momentum
0 families filed 2022–2024, 6 in 2019–2021 (-100%); all tracked AM filings in the same offices -27%
Filed in
US 66%EP 11%WO 11%CN 11%
Named competitors, AM patent families
Formlabs 1143D Systems 300UltiMaker 51Tiertime 32

44 AM patent families in total. Recent years are still being published, so read a filing change against the same-office figure.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Offers reliable, easy-to-use, and innovative 3D printing technology with a strong educational focus and community support.

How They Differentiate

Prioritizes ease of use and robust educational support, differentiating it from competitors focused primarily on customization or lower costs.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Educators, professionals, and hobbyists

Industry Verticals

Education, Healthcare, Architecture, Engineering, Consumer Products

Competitors

Formlabs, 3D Systems, Shapeways, Ultimaker, Tiertime, XYZprinting

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Maintained strong market presence with sustained innovation in educational and professional segments.

Major Milestones

Launch of Thingiverse (2008), Development of Smart Extruder+ (2016), Acquisition by Stratasys (2013), Commitment of $500K to enhance 3D printing education

Notable Customers

Prodrive, Lockheed Martin, Callum, Mattel, North American Lighting, University of Maryland

https://www.makerbot.com

AM patents

AM-relevant patents linked to this company.

Patents
55
Granted
22
Families
44

Leading domains: process (54), equipment (44), software (16)

Filings by year: 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 6

  1. FILAMENT SWITCHING E.G. COLOUR SWITCHING FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING02892703 · EP
  2. NETWORKED THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING02788910 · EP
  3. Passive z-axis alignment09566744 · US
  4. THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS2020056300 · WO
  5. THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS113242786 · CN

Funding rounds

  • Series A$10.0M2011-08-01Lead: The Foundry Group
  • Seed$0.1M2009-01-01Lead: Jake Lodwick

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

MakerBot established itself as a leading brand in desktop polymer extrusion (MEX/FDM) by prioritizing ease of use and reliability over industrial complexity. Its Replicator and METHOD series printers serve educators, hobbyists, and professionals who need consistent results without extensive training.

The company's Smart Extruder+ technology improves print reliability by reducing jams and clogs, a common pain point in entry-level FDM printing. MakerBot CloudPrint software enables remote management and file preparation, while Thingiverse remains one of the largest online repositories of user-uploaded 3D models, reinforcing the company's community-driven approach.

MakerBot targets K-12 and university classrooms, engineering firms, and consumer product designers. Notable users include Lockheed Martin, Mattel, and the University of Maryland. The company has committed $500,000 to enhance 3D printing education, and its acquisition by Stratasys in 2013 provided access to broader materials and distribution channels.

Competition includes Ultimaker, Formlabs, and 3D Systems, which offer higher-resolution or more industrial solutions. MakerBot's differentiation lies in its curated ecosystem of hardware, software, and content tailored for non-expert users. The open question is whether the brand can maintain relevance as Stratasys focuses on industrial additive manufacturing and as low-cost competitors improve quality.